This is not a traditional cacio e pepe, but the three peppers and hint of garlic make for a nice spicy twist on a Roman classic. If your sauce splits, it’ll still taste delicious so have a glass of wine and plan to have another go next week.
Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
250 grams dried thick spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
80 grams pecorino, finely grated
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
To serve
finely grated pecorino
cracked black pepper
cayenne pepper (optional)
METHOD
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil over a high heat. Add the dried spaghetti and cook for 1 minute less than packet instructions, until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large sauté pan over a low heat. Add the black pepper, white pepper and garlic and fry for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the saucepan from heat. Use tongs to remove the pasta from the water, and add to the sauté pan with the pepper mixture with 6 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water. Stir to combine then leave to sit for 1 minute to cool slightly. It is important to leave the pasta to cool at this point as if it is too hot, the cheese will split.
Sprinkle the pecorino and cayenne pepper over the spaghetti. Use a large wooden spoon to swiftly swirl the pasta, cheese and cooking water together until a silky sauce forms. You may need to add another tablespoon of cooking water to loosen.
Serve immediately into warm bowls – warm bowls prevent cheese clumps forming – and sprinkle with more pecorino, a grind of black pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick, if desired.
Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
latest issue:
Issue 128
This winter issue of dish is about comfort and connection. Celebrating the best of New Zealand and Australian produce, it brings together recipes from some of our most-loved chefs, including Moroccan Chicken Soup, Mint-glazed Roasted Leg of Lamb, Slow Cooker Braised Red Wine and Miso White Chocolate Cheesecake. Find plenty to carry you through the colder months, from flaky sausage rolls and mushroom pie, to soul-soothing pasta, nostalgic baking, weekend market inspiration and dinner party menus. There’s a spotlight on the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, recipes from Caroline Griffiths’ Midnight Spaghetti, and a deep dive into the difference between Kiwi syrah and Aussie shiraz.







